Sayyidina Ibn Abbas (RA) explained the words of Allah: “Alif Laam Mim. The Romans have been defeated in the land.” (80:1-2) He said: This is read غُلِبَتْ as also غَلَبَتْ The idolaters loved that the Persians should gain victory over Rome because they and the Persians were idolaters. The Muslims loved that the Romans should become victorious over the Persians because they were People of the Book. They mentioned it to Abu Bakr (RA) who mentioned it to Allah’s Messenger. He said ‘They will soon be victorious.” Abu Bakr (RA) mentioned this to the idolaters and they said, “Cause between us and them a term. If we win during that time then for us is this-and-that and if you gain victory then for you is this-and that.” Then he fixed the times as five years; but it did not transpire, so he mentioned that to the Prophet). He said, ‘Why did you not fix a longer period”? The narrator supposed that he put it at ten years. And Sa’eed said that (bitl’) is a number less than ten Then Rome emerged victorious over Persia. This is why Allah said; "Alif Laam Mim. The Romans have been defeated in the land close by, and after (this) defeat of theirs, they will soon be victorious, within a few years. To Allah belongs the command before and after and on that day the Believers will rejoice, in Allah's help. (30: 1-5) Sufyan said, “I heard that the Romans emerged victorious on the day of Badr.” [Ahmed 2495, Bukhari 115]